Chu resigns from Union

by Ryan Fay

Union women's hockey assistant coach Julie Chu has resigned.

"I will be leaving Union to focus solely on training for the 2014 Olympic Games," Chu said in a statement. "The women's hockey team, coaching staff, athletic administration and the Union community have been a wonderful environment for me to work in for the past three years. I appreciate my time here and wish the best for Union Athletics in the future."

Chu (Union)

Head coach Claudia Asano-Barcomb said that Chu brought a lot to the program in her three years as an assistant, a period which saw the program reach new heights in out of conference play.

“Julie has been a tremendous asset to the women's ice hockey program for the last three years as a recruiter and associating Team USA with Union women's hockey," Barbomb said in a statement. "She has aided the development of our student-athletes with skills as well as the understanding of the game of ice hockey. Chu has implemented systems as well as giving the student-athletes individualized attention on and off the ice.

"Julie has fostered a family atmosphere amongst the student-athletes and staff and has served as an excellent role model for our student-athletes. I am incredibly grateful for her work ethic and dedication to the Union Hockey program and wish her nothing but the best."

Prospective Olympians like Chu will be evaluated in various camps and tournaments leading up to the 2014 Olympics. The preliminary Olympic roster will be named in June at the conclusion of the summer training camp. The final Olympic roster will be announced in late December.

Chu would hardly be a stranger to Olympic play. She competed for Team USA in the past three Winter Olympic games, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2006 in Turin, Italy, and 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Team USA won a silver medal in 2002 and 2010 and a bronze in 2006.

In 15 Olympic contests, Chu has registered four goals and 11 assists.

Her replacement at Union has not yet been named, but whoever is brought in will be on a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal.